Today, I officially kiss my 20s good-bye as it’s my 30th birthday! This is a milestone birthday for a number of reasons. Of course, many believe that when you turn 30, your life really begins. Others say that you officially start getting old when you hit 30, and that’s when things start falling apart. But I believe those who’ve been telling me for the last several weeks that your 30s are the best time of your life.

About 7 years ago, I set a goal for myself to be completely debt-free by the time I hit 30. At that time, I had two student loans totaling about $20k and I had racked up about $15k in credit card debt. Am I debt-free yet? Nope – I missed this goal. However, I DID pay off all of my credit cards, paid off my car entirely, and I only have around $12k in student loans left to pay, which I should be done paying off by the time I hit 31.

Did I fail here? I don’t think so! Setting goals helps you stay focused in any given area of your life and gives you something to work toward. Most people don’t even hit their goals the first time around. But they’re better off than when they started.

Lesson learned: Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars!

This year for my birthday, all I wanted was to spend time with the people I call my friends. I’m having a party at a downtown Cincinnati martini club and some of my local friends and those within driving distance are coming to help me celebrate. At this point in my life, making memories with those I love is important. My mom had planned to come up this week, but at the very last minute she had to cancel because of some health issues that are not allowing her to travel. She was very upset about this and I felt bad that she was more worried about missing my birthday than she seemed to be about her health.

To give you a little background on my mom, she was diagnosed back in the 90s with a disease called fibromyalgia. In its simplest definition, fibromyalgia is described as chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points that occur in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. My mom was a special education teacher at the middle school level, and she was moving some boxes one summer preparing for the school year when she injured her back. Because it was a Workers’ Comp case, she was made to wait three months to have back surgery, resulting in complications that led to scar tissue developing around her incision area. She had to have a second back surgery, and shortly after that she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia can be very mild or extremely severe. The form my mom was diagnosed with is more toward the severe side. Over the years she has had to wear a brace to deal with weak nerves in her foot, and she has to walk with canes now. She has had to take some really heavy-duty medications which dried up her salivary glands and caused several of her teeth to decay. She now has complete dentures, and she is only 61. Lots of other things have been affected, including her kidneys and her overall posture. It breaks my heart to see what this has done to her – a lady I used to have to run to keep up with.

This year, for my 30th birthday, I want to do something for the woman who brought me into the world. That’s why for every comment that is left on this post, I am going to donate $5 to the National Fibromyalgia Association. The National Fibromyalgia Association supports research, medical education programs, patient education and support groups to help those dealing with the disease. I love both my mom and dad, and I know many of you are getting to, or have already gotten to, the point where your parents are starting to age quickly and it’s tough to watch them go through health challenges.

I’ll donate up to $500 (100 comments). As far as comments go, you can leave whatever you’d like, I would only ask that you don’t leave like 10 comments, and make it somewhat meaningful 🙂

Thank you for helping me work toward another goal, and also to give my mom a gift on my birthday 🙂

I also like what you said about setting goals. I have a list of 10 goals, and I’m making some of them HARD. I only expect to complete 6-7 of them … but I don’t know which ones. If I complete more, then I’ll know I set my goals too easy.

Excellent way to celebrate your birthday, your mom, and help others. Of course, you did land a new job not long ago and your other posts indicate you’re enjoying the orientation, etc., so that’s a good present in this economy!

Happy birthday, Amybeth! What a great idea! My mom also suffers from fibromyalgia. Thanks for doing what you’re doing!

Thanks also for the things you said about goal setting. I completely agree, and have only recently really started to adopt the idea of choosing goals as a guideline more than a commitment. In fact, I’m about to do some goal setting for my business right now!

Amybeth, Happy Birthday to you and congrats on being 30! Someone once told me to make sure you have friends in every decade (20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc.) so you always have appreciation for where you have been and where you are headed. Enjoy your party!

Happy birthday, Amybeth. I think it’s great that you are honoring your mom on the day she gave birth to you 30 years ago. Fibromyalgia is a very debilitating disease. I have two friends who have it. As for turning 30, I am turning 40 in a few months and will look back with fondness on my 30s. Enjoy them!

Best wishes for all your birthday dreams to come true! I’m so impressed with what your doing for your Mom. I have the milder form of fibromyalgia (diagnosed 7 years ago) and it’s still debilitating.
There have been good strides in fibromyalgia research in the past few years and I know your donation will help to make an even bigger difference – perhaps someday there will be a cure.

Welcome to the 30’s. Its nice here! And you are so sweet for doing this, what an awesome bday gift! As a chronic neck pain sufferes myself I can tell your readers that this kind of pain just eats away at you all the time.

Be sure to raise a glass tonight at the martini club for all your friends out here in cyberspace who support and cherish you!

I am so grateful that you were born, Amybeth! I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to have gotten to know you over the past year. My mom also has fibromyalgia, as do several of my friends. What you’re doing here is truly remarkable. God bless you.

Happy Birthday, Amybeth! What a wonderful, generous and caring young woman you are! Your mother obviously did a great job raising you. I know she is incredibly proud of you.

I’ve had fibromyalgia for almost 20 years and know how blessed I am to have the support of my grown children. I can’t tell you what a lift it has given me to read your post and see your obvious love and concern for your mom. God bless you both!

What a great idea and inspiration for your Mom! My Dad suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and spinal stinosis(now in his 60’s)and I’ve seen how the pain has really aged him. I’ve also seen how research and new medication/treatments can really make a difference. You and your mom must be proud you’re entering your 30’s with a great heart and your priorities straight. Enjoy this time and I’ll bet your 40’s will be even better! Have a wonderful birthday and Happy Easter!

Hi there! I saw your Twitter feed from Daniel Johnson Jr.’s and that took me to your blog. I think it’s really wonderful what you’re doing in honor of your mom. I’m sure she is extremely proud that she has raised such a loving and thoughtful daughter.

Just under 45 minutes of your birthday left…but since it’s Friday, you technically have a birthday weekend. So I hope it’s a great weekend for you!

Hello, I web-surfed my way to your blog and your post hit home for me. My mother also has fibromyalgia and it has been extremely hard to watch her go from the energetic wonder woman to a sloth like lady. Thank you so much for what you are doing and HAPPY 30th birthday!
– Jenny

Happy Birthday! Life gets even better once you get past the 20’s as you have more perspective. I pray that God will bless you for your generosity. Well wishes to your mother, I am sure she is very proud of you.

If you don’t remember me, I was the lone ODU student at the table with you and the OU folks at the PRSA Luncheon with Brian Solis.

One of my dearest friend’s sister suffers from this condition and she is just 18 years old. To help raise awareness about this painful condition, we started the Walk of FAME at Ohio Dominican University. This year will be our second year putting on this event and we are so excited to help raise funds and awareness about the condition. Thank you for such a wonderful blog post and your donations to this association. If you’re around Columbus on May 9, we would love to see you at the walk!